Bear Canyon Loop
Guided Backpacking Trips
5 Days, 4 Nights 35MI / 56KM
Trip Highlights
Venture deep into the heart of the Tetons on a breathtaking trek through the high country of the Jedediah Smith Wilderness, where sweeping views, hidden lakes, and rich western heritage come alive. This adventure includes remote camps, vibrant wildlife habitat, and two unforgettable day hikes to soaring peaks with panoramic vistas of the Teton Range. Highlights include crossing Dead Horse Pass, exploring the lush Narrows Meadows, and enjoying the serenity of alpine rivers and lakes. Supported by friendly llamas that carry the gear, this journey offers rugged mountain beauty with added comfort and ease.
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Spectacular Mountain Scenery
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Mountain Solitude
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Peak Bagging
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Adventurous Loop Hike
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Remote Campsites
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Pristine Creeks & Rivers
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Views of Grand Teton National Park
Book This Trip
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
5 Days, 4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
4-9 mi -
Group Size
2-12 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
Generally this trip is moderate-strenuous. However, there is a very strenuous section at the bottom of Bear Canyon, which has significant loose rock and is very rugged. We also have a dry camp on the last night so must carry additional water, makes for heavy packs.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Shuttle to Trailhead: 75 minutes
Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
Elevation Loss: 500 feet
Elevation Gain: 140 feet
This Tetons backpacking trip begins with pickup at your hotel in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We’ll drive up and over famous Jackson Pass and down into the beautiful Driggs Valley before arriving at our trailhead. After doing a final pack fitting and adjusting trekking poles we’ll start on our adventure in the Tetons!
We will begin our hike with a short descent to North Leigh Creek, but make up our elevation as the day goes on. We will end at the beautifully serene Green Lakes Basin where we will make camp for the night.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 4-5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1600 feet
Elevation Loss: 1600 feet
We’ll start today with a delicious breakfast, and then set off for an amazing day of hiking! We will wake up early and make miles to our camp just below Dead Horse Pass. Today’s hike gains significant elevation in a short amount of mileage as we pick our way through the gorgeous Teton high county and offers magnificent views of the Tetons and surrounding mountain ranges.
We will have a good chance of seeing elk or deer below us in the lush meadows. After a full day of absorbing breath taking views, and creating wonderful memories we head into camp where we will enjoy another wonderful evening and feast of a dinner.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1800 feet
Elevation Loss: 1800 feet
Today’s hike is another hard day and we move camp to an adjacent valley. Our destination is Hidden Corral Basin. We will enjoy our lunch on top of the pass and plot our route to our second campsite. After lunch, we will head down the pass to another pristine mountain creek until we reach our camp nestled at the base of a high-country peak and settle in for a much needed night of rest and relaxation after our amazing backcountry dinner.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1800 feet
Elevation Loss: 1800 feet
We will wake for another exciting day of exploration after our delicious breakfast. We will meander through the Bitch Creek Narrows and traverse back south towards Indian Meadows. We will dry camp at Indian Meadows, and likely pick up water where it’s available before we make camp for the night. We’ll celebrate our last evening in the wilderness with a backcountry feast and a roaring campfire (weather permitting).
Day 5
Hiking Mileage: 8.5 miles
Elevation Loss: 1000 feet
Shuttle to Jackson Hole: 85 minutes
On our last morning together we will enjoy a tasty breakfast. After our relaxing morning, we will pack up our gear and trek down to our ending trailhead.
The pickup on this trip is variable and your guide will make the decision that best fits your group’s fitness. One option is to continue South to our trailhead at Indian Meadows. Another other option is a longer hike south, past Indian Meadows, across Badger Creek, ending at our Day 1 drop-off of North Leigh Creek.
Once at the trailhead, we’ll say our good-byes to the peaks, creeks and meadows of the Tetons and drive back to Jackson Hole. With a fond farewell, we’ll drop you off at your hotel for much-deserved showers and relaxation.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Jackson Hole, WY; Victor, ID or Driggs, ID
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Bear safety equipment including bear spray cannisters and food-hanging gear
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Waterbottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-15% of trip cost)
Accommodations
BACKCOUNTRY SLEEPING
Tent Camping
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
BACKCOUNTRY CUISINE
Fresh & Delicious
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
AMAZING CAMPSITES
In the Action
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
At 5:00 PM the evening before Day 1, your guide will conduct a virtual orientation meeting (via conference call) at 5:00 PM to review the packing list, communicate the first day’s logistics and answer any last minute questions you have. Your guide will give you the phone number for this call during the pre-trip contact, approximately 10 days before your trip start date.
Early on the morning of Day 1 your guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Driggs, Idaho; or Victor, Idaho.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel Details
This trip begins and ends in Jackson, WY, with pick-up also available in Driggs and Victor, ID.
You can fly into:
- Jackson Hole – some hotels and several transportation companies provide airport shuttles.
- Idaho Falls – small, more affordable airport; Salt Lake Express (208-656-8824) offers 2 daily shuttles between Idaho Falls and Jackson.
- Salt Lake City – Salt Lake Express (208-656-8824) and Alltrans (800-652-9510) offer daily shuttles (4.5 hours). Advance reservations required.
Pre and Post-trip On Request Lodging
We secure limited amounts of pre and post trip lodging in Jackson, Wyoming as an optional add-on for guests of this trip. This lodging is on request, and is available on a first come, first serve basis. If interested, please reach out directly to our team to check availability.
Start/End Times
You can expect the first day’s pick-up time to be between 5 and 7 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day no later than 7 PM.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Reviews
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Juhee K
2 years agoExceeded Expectations
Our guided backpacking trip with Seth Ellis exceeded expectations in many ways. Our group was well equipped (with the help of our guide), and was set up for success every step of the way. Seth was able to navigate us through rain, thunderstorms, sun and even hail- all the while making sure we were having our best time. Aside from the beautiful trek, Seth’s cooking was amazing. There was so much care and creativity with all the meals and were all equally delicious. I’ve learned so much from this trip, all thanks to Seth and my fellow backpackers.
Ellen P
2 years agoMy next guide has big boots to fill
This was my first ever backpacking trip and it was awesome. Seth was a fantastic guide. Very well organized with all the food and bear safety, made excellent and filling meals, even refilled our water bottles when we weren't paying attention. His judgment call to reverse the route was spot on. The views got prettier as we went, and thankfully so did the weather. Seth's guidance on what to pack was also invaluable and helped me shed a pound or two from my pack before we started. We took a good number of breaks while still making it to camp with plenty of light. The trail was tough but our group came out of it with no injuries save a single blister on my foot (that Seth dressed immediately). I recommend this route and I recommend Seth. Just make sure you have good rain gear!
Luca S
2 years agoAmazing Trip!
I’m sitting in my hotel a few hours removed from finishing this trip. It was an amazing experience and our guide, Seth Ellis, was amazing. The views, trails, campsites and food were top notch. Thanks to Seth for the amazing time!
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